Comment

Representation ID: 27858

Received: 24/03/2021

Respondent: North Yorkshire County Council

It is noted that in order to meet the local housing need in the Bradford areas it is necessary to release Green Belt land for development. It will be important to ensure that any release of Green Belt does not compromise its purpose “to prevent urban sprawl or large built up areas; to prevent neighbouring towns merging into one another; to assist in safeguarding the countryside from encroachment; to preserve the setting and special character of historic towns, and…”. This would include considering the affect upon the setting of the landscape character and character of settlements across the border within North Yorkshire. It is further noted that the current approach is to not safeguard further Green Belt land. We would highlight Paragraph 136 of the National Planning Policy Framework which states that “once established, Green Belt boundaries should only be altered in exceptional circumstances….”. Releasing Green Belt for safeguarding would ensure that Bradford District can continue to provide for appropriate level of new growth beyond the plan period, providing certainty to communities as to where planed growth would take place. If sufficient land isn’t safeguarded this may lead to identified needs and pressure being placed on areas outside of the Bradford District.